Ernest let out a groan as his alarm went off; he groggily sat up and felt his phone underneath his hand. He picked it up and saw that it was on a phone call; he put the phone up to his ear and smiled as he heard her soft breathing.
So cute, he thought.
"Wait.. Doesn't she have class?" Ernest asked himself. "Ariel, wake up." Ernest said loudly, making Ariel snort and sit up abruptly.
"I'm up momma.." She said sleepily, making Ernest muffle his laughter.
"I'm not your mom, Ariel." Ernest said, making her gasp.
"Oh my God, I'm so embarrassed.." Ariel said. "I'm so sorry, Ernest."
"It's okay. We all have our moments. I just wanted to wake you up. Don’t want to miss classes." Ernest said, but Ariel shook her head.
"I don't have classes today. Any kid with a 90 or higher on their exam gets the day off and resumes the next day as usual." Ernest was very surprised to hear this as something like this has never happened at his school, but then again, his highest test score was a 80 and probably would have never had the luxury in the first place.
"Lucky.. Well, I'm sorry for waking you."
"It's okay, Ernest." Ariel said with a smile.
"We're still on for after school, right?"
"Of course." She said, "But Ernest, you do realize that it's 8:30, right?" Ernest's eyes whipped over to his clock which was stuck at 12.
"Crap, I'm super late! Gotta run, talk to you later, Ariel!" Ernest hung up and rushed through things to get ready. He took a quick shower and threw on clean clothes before grabbing his things and running downstairs.
Ernest realized he was ridiculously late when not even his mother or father were home.
They left for work already? I'm so dead..
Ernest thought as he left the house and ran all the way to school. Despite how out of breath he was and the intense burn within his legs, Ernest made it to school around 8:57 and rushed to his first class. He opened the door and everyone including the teacher stared at him.
"Mr. Rivers, glad to see you finally join us with the rest of the class." Mrs. Baxby said.
"Did you hurt yourself on the way, bro?" Michael asked, making Ernest's face get hot in embarrassment by the laughter of the class; Ernest is most commonly known for being the most clumsy guy at school and it's so typical for him to hurt himself even in the weirdest ways possible.
"No, I didn't hurt myself on the way. Now stop interrupting our wonderful, beautiful and very intelligent teacher." Ernest said, making everyone chuckle.
"Flattery gets you nowhere Mr. Rivers. One hour detention after school." Ernest's eyes widened.
He couldn't do it after school. He was supposed to meet Ariel once school was over and it would be plain cruel to cancel last minute or show up an hour late.
"But I-"
"Would you like to make it two hours?" Mrs. Baxby asked, making Ernest shake his head and sit in his seat.
His first period went as usual, his second period was math.
For some reason, teachers just expected him to just know how to solve
The value of the limit lim x®12x2+x-3/x2-x
It didn't even make sense, let alone be easy to solve.
He had history for his third class and fell asleep. When the teacher called on him, he jumped up and bit tongue, blood slightly dripping out of his mouth; he was sent to the nurses office before fourth period came.
He had economics class and today they were supposed to make a cake, but based on how badly he burnt the cake, his cake looked more like dry dirt, but he got a C- for at least trying to go down the right path.
When the bell rang, it was time to go to lunch; today was supposed to be chicken with stale mashed potatoes, a piece of bread and too many veggies that a vegetarian would complain about it.
"Dude, wait up!" Michael yelled. "What happened?" He asked.
"What do you mean?"
"With the Ariel girl, what happened?" He stated.
"Oh man, we talked all night. She's so witty and an absolute angel. I never met anyone like her. Not to mention, she's super smart. She goes to Rockview highschool and has straight A's. Even got a 90 or higher on her exam." Michael's eyes widened.
"No way, she goes to Rockview and has straight A's? Her life must be hell there." Michael added. "Is she scared?" Ernest shook his head.
"She said she used to be, but she said she's making a difference by going there and that's good enough for her." Ernest explained. "I mean, it must have been hard. She was around during segregation.." Ernest said.
Segregation was something that confused Ernest; why did the black kids have to walk ten miles to school? Why were their schools so different from theirs?
"Segregation ended a long time ago." Michael said.
"Dude, it hasn't even been a decade yet since it stopped." I said.
"Sounds like a long time to me." He said.
"Extra extra, read all about it! Another murder near the woods! Here you guys go." Jimmy said before running off.
Black girl found raped and strangled to death in the woods.
These kinds of stories always made Ernest sick. How could someone be so cruel? And why only black girls?
This was the fifth black girl found dead within the last three months. Was it an obsession? Hatred? But why?
Ernest thought.
"Talk about sick.. Her neck looks like it's been wringed out.." Ernest physically cringed at Michael's harsh words. "And her clothes-"
"Dude, I'm throwing this away.. I'm sure her family didn't want to see her like this because I definitely didn't." Ernest crumpled up the paper and threw it away in the nearest trash can. "Change of subject, the talk with Ariel went amazing. If you gave her a chance, she's not bad at all." Ernest said. "I'm supposed to meet with her after school." Ernest said quietly, making Michaels eyes practically pop out of his head.
"You're serious about this girl? Are you trying to date her?" Ernest looked just as shocked as Michael at this point.
"No, it's not like that. We're friends and you know me." Ernest said. Michael rolled his eyes, but had a smile on his face.
"You always want to get to know new people, I know. Well.. I guess I can give this Ariel girl a try if you think she seems so nice. I just don't want a repeat of the last friend you had."
Ernest winced while remembering David.
David had a huge anger problem and hated pretty much anything and Ernest tried to be his friend, but instead Ernest got hurt a lot much more than usual; the last time Ernest saw David, David set him up to get jumped and David succeeded. No one has ever seen Ernest face so bruised or bloodied. Even Michael teared up seeing the happiest guy he knew unconscious because he trusted too much.
"That's totally different. Ariel isn't like that at all, really." Ernest reassured him.
"Can't wait to meet her after school." Michael said.
"No way, it just has to be me and her." Michael and Ernest got in line to get lunch .
"I thought you said you two are just friends." Michael said as they picked up their trays of food.
"We are."
"So why can't I come along?" He asked as they sat at an empty table.
"Because it's just supposed to be me and her." Ernest said.
"So, a date?" He asked. Ernest glared at Michael as Michael tossed a piece of chicken into his mouth. "Just pointing out the obvious, but whatever. I won't come. Just promise me that if something seems off, you'll leave, alright?" Ernest nodded. "Wait.. How are you going to get to her? You have detention." Ernest gave Michael a lopsided smile, making Michael lip twitch in annoyance. "Fine, but you owe me big fucking time, again." Michael stated as Ernest nodded. They continued eating their mediocre food and had conversations ranging from the football game happening next month to who they thought about going to homecoming with.
When lunch was over, Ernest went to fifth period which was biology. They were supposed to dissect a frog, but Ernest ended up cutting his finger and once again had to go to the nurses office. Ms. Jones shook her head again when Ernest walked inside the nurses offices with a rapidly bleeding finger; after patching him up, he went back to class, but wasn't allowed to touch any more sharp objects and his partner had to do the rest of the experiment.
Sixth period was English class, Ernest best subject. His teacher Mrs. Davis was very impressed with the last essay he turned in last week and even asked if his essay could be used as an example to show how to properly write an essay.
When class ended, Ernest snuck out of class as quickly as possible to make it out of the school."Mr. Rivers, where do you think you're going? You have detention." Mrs. Baxby said."Mrs. Baxby- dear God.." Ernest said with a dropped jaw as his best friend was running down the hall screaming in his underwear.He asked for a distraction to get out of detention, but he wasn't expecting this.While Mrs. Baxby was distracted, Ernest made haste and rushed to Deadmans bridge.Ernest felt his world spin each step he took. The air seemed thicker than honey and his legs were wobbly before he started running. He was admittedly nervous and had no idea how to get rid of the feeling.But what w
Another dreadful morning for Ariel as she woke up once again to go to school out of all places. Ariel sat up and stretched before getting up to take a shower. During her shower, she couldn't help, but think about Ernest. He seemed to constantly hurt himself and that worried Ariel. She hoped he made it home safe last night.When Ariel got home last night, she checked the lamp to see if it worked and it did. She fixed it up and made it nice and sat it in her backpack for the clumsy boy she met at Deadmans Bridge.But overall, he's nothing how her mother described him to be. She always told her to stay away from white men because of how dangerous they are, especially to people like Ariel. Ernest wasn't like that all, in fact, he's more of a danger to himself than anyone else, really.After Ariel finished her shower, sh
"Well.. He is kind of cute-" Polly let out a loud gasp."Oh. My. Goodness." Polly exclaimed. "This is a sign, Ariel. You haven't found any guys cute for two years. You save this guy and become his Princess Charming and you think he's cute? He has to be the one, Ariel. He must be." Ariel shook her head."He's cute, yes, but I can compliment a guy without romantic feelings being involved. It just means I have eyes." Ariel said before taking another bite of her mashed potatoes."You're totally lying, but whatever. Where are we meeting them?" Polly asked before taking a sip of her water."At Deadmans Bridge. We're going to meet his friend and make a gift trade off. I'm giving him a lamp and he's giving me a necklace." Polly smiled, but Ariel quickly changed the subject to ho
Ariel wouldn't stop yawning throughout her whole time getting ready for school. Her and Ernest had stayed up really late talking about anything and everything.Ernest said he was very unsure on what he wanted his career to be and Ariel explained how she'd love to be a surgeon. She loved the idea of saving a life with her own hands and she believed that she could achieve this despite the obstacles she knew she would face. If Dorthy Lavinia Brown can do it, so can Ariel Nicolette Smith.Both Ariel and Ernest fell asleep on the phone pretty late, leaving both him and Ariel to lose a lot more sleep than planned. Ariel let out a long and large yawn as she started brushing her teeth."Ernest and I need to stop talking so late.." She grumbled with a toothbrush in her mouth and suds falling into the sink. After Ariel finish
"Come in!" A man with a deep and powerful voice yelled from the other side of the door. Polly walked inside with a cutesy smile, making her father, the principal, slightly agitated. "What did you do, Polly? I told you to stay out of trouble for a week, or I'd be forced to give you in school detention.""Oh daddy, I didn't do anything. I've been very good for the rest of this week." Polly said with a smile."Mmm, then what is it?" He asked."Can I please use your phone to call someone? Pleaseeeeeeeeeeee?" Polly pleaded, making her father sigh."Fine, but please hurry up.""It's a private call, daddy. You have to step outside.""Now wait a minute Polly, I can't leave students in her
What was that?Who was that?And why do I feel like this?Ernest asked himself a series of questions as he continued walking further away from Ariel's school."Dude, wait up!" Michael yelled as he ran next to Ernest. "What is wrong with you? Why did you just rush off like that?" Ernest stopped and looked at Michael."I don't know! I just, just." Ernest started pacing. "I see Ariel talking to this guy and this guy is just smiling and Ariel is smiling and they look like they're having a great time and I can feel myself getting irritated, but not at her and-""Dude, breathe!" Michael exclaimed, making Ernest stop and take in a deep brea
Ernest's eyes burned with tears. His throat felt clogged from all the different emotions knowing Ariel could be in serious trouble.There's a serial killer and rapist targeting black girls."Did you guys call the police?" Ernest's mother asked."We did, but they said a person has to be missing for twenty four hours.. Total bullshit!" Polly exclaimed, making Michael put his hand on Polly's shoulder."We'll find her, Polly. I'm sure she's okay." Polly let out another sob before hugging Michael. Michael felt nervous that Polly hugged him so suddenly, but she needed it and was willing to put his nerves aside for her."We gotta look for her." Ernest said."Ernest, no.. It's da
When Ernest woke up the next morning, he felt so many emotions run through him and almost none of them had to do with Ariel.Of course it bothers him that he has a crush on Ariel, but that was the least of his worries. He knows him and his friends saw a dead body last night. She couldn't have possibly just disappeared and there's no large animals in the woods. That must mean the killer came back, but why? Why would he come back? Was there something there he didn't want found?"Ernest, breakfast is ready!" His mother yelled. Ernest sat up and walked downstairs to eat breakfast. "Good morning, sweetheart. How did you sleep?" She asked as she cooked up some bacon. Ernest's right cheek laid into the palm of his hand. His eyes were baggy and hair was ruffled. He looked like he didn't get much sleep at all."What's sleep?
"Hello Ernest." Ariel said as she walked down the stairs. "Wow.. Ariel, you look beautiful." Ernest said, making Ariel blush. "Thank you, Ernest." Ariel said while doing a courtesy. "You look rather handsome yourself." She's like a princess. Ernest thought. "Ohhhh, we HAVE to take pictures!" Polly said. "Daddy, where's the camera?!" "I'm getting it now, sweetie!" Timothy yelled from a different room. Timothy came back with the polaroid camera and took multiple pictures of the group. They had cute photos, silly goofy photos, the annoyed trying to get everyone to do the same pose photos, and even the date photos. And it was in that moment that all four of them thought, Wow, these are really my friends. After they finished taking the photos, they all got into Michael's car and drove to homecoming. When they got there, there was a line to get inside the building. "Jeez, I hope I can find parking." Michael said, but to his luck, he was able to find parking about two blocks away
The day is here. Where all the women dress like royalty and all the men dress like business men; homecoming.And Ernest is freaking out."Ernest sweetie, we can get another suit.." His mother said, but that didn't slow Ernest pacing at all."Homecoming is TODAY! I can't get a new suit right now! It's impossible!" He exclaimed."Well, maybe you still wear this.." His mother lifted up his suit to reveal it covered in bleach stains.Apparently, his father tried to wash clothes while he was drunk and Ernest’s suit paid the price."Oh no.." Ernest sighed and slumped on the couch. "I can't go to the dance in that, mom. My first date and I fucked that up too.." Ernest mumbled."First date? But I thought you've been on plenty of dates?" His mother asked.Ernest found himself blushing at his mothers catch on; yes, he has been out with other girls before, but those girls asked him out. Ernest never wanted to take someone out and show them a good time before meeting Ariel."Yeah, I meant the fir
Ariel was drenched in sweat, pushing herself way beyond her limits as she punched and kicked the punching bag."Aye kid!" A man yelled, making Ariel grab the punching bag to stop it and look at him."Oh, yes coach?" Ariel asked."Go home. Don't want to see your face again for the rest of the week.""Wait, what? Why?" Ariel asked."Firstly because you're taking up other clients' time. Secondly, you're pushing yourself way too hard and finally, whatever you're mad. or stressed about, punching and kicking isn't helping. You need to nip whatever it is in the bud. Now go home, I'm serious. You need to go.""Fine.." Ariel said. Ariel dried off her face with the towel she brought, grabbed all of her things and left.The truth was, Ariel wasn't mad at all. She was nervous and stressed out.°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•Ariel stared at her ticket in disbelief. She was so shocked to see that she actually had a ticket to go to homecoming. It was laminated. Had the most
"Oh, Ariel, I got a letter from your school talking about homecoming. Are you going this year?" Ivory asked. "Oh.. I don't know, momma. Probably not." Ariel said. "It's for the best anyway. I don't really feel like dealing with all the stares." She explained. "Hey, I'm going to go take a shower, okay?" "Yes. Of course." Ivory said. Ariel grabbed her things and brought them upstairs to her room to take a shower. While Ariel is taking a shower, not too far from her was her friend’s scheming. "This is crazy!" Frankie whispered. "Polly, when you asked for my help, I didn't know it was to break into your school!" "Look, I usually don't ask for your help, but you're the best at picking locks and plus, the cameras back here don't work. Just pick the lock and you can go straight home. No harm done." Polly said. "Easy for you to say. You're not black." Frankie retorted. "Dude, just open it." Michael said in annoyance. "No, fuck you guys. I need to get home." Frankie said before trying
"Ariel Nicolette Smith!" Ivory yelled. Ariel groaned at the boom of Ivory's voice. "What does she want?" Ariel said groggily. Ariel had already gotten in trouble for eating all the chocolate in the house. What could she possibly be in trouble for now? "Don't make me come up there! Get down here, now!" Ivory yelled again. Ariel groaned while rolling out of bed and walking downstairs with her bonnet and robe on. "Ariel!" "I'm coming momma. I'm coming." Ariel came downstairs still feeling sleepy. "What is it?" Ariel asked. "This." Ivory pointed to the door and just as if Ariel luck had just ran out, Chad was at her door. "You care to explain why some white boy is knocking on our door at 10 am." "Oh my God, Chad, I am so sorry. I totally-" "Forgot? Yeah, I did too and I felt bad for coming so late, but looks like you're a little late too." Chad chuckled. Ariel felt a bit embarrassed. "Momma, this is Chad. I'm going to be tutoring him in science for a bit." "Another one? Jeez." I
"Yes?.." Ariel replied hesitantly."You have the capability of being hot?!" Polly exclaimed, making Ariel very embarrassed."Polly, cut that out!""How come you never wear that to school? You look so pretty!" Polly said. "And how come I've never seen you in this?" Polly huffed."Because Polly, we're normally both busy on weekends. And also, I don't have time for boys trying to catch my attention. I need to focus on school and make it to a university. Life may be short, but it's long enough for me to do goals first and boys second.""That's my daughter!" Ivory yelled from the kitchen in a proud tone."Okay, then what about Ernest?"
"It's Saturday, but I'm awake at six in the morning. What is wrong with me?" Ariel muffled under her pillow as memories of last night flashed through her head.It seemed like Ernest wanted to kiss her, but why would he want to do that? He would have to be interested in her romantically if that's what he wanted, so why would he do that? Ernest couldn't possibly like Ariel, could he?Ariel sighed and got out of her bed to go into the kitchen. She went into the fridge and took out a pan of brownies her mother made for dinner. She sat at the table and began eating the brownies."Chocolate helps with dopamine.." She said while munching on brownies. "Ernest couldn't possibly like me. I mean, what does he even see in me? And more importantly, what do I see in him? He's white. He's so clumsy, barely makes decent grades and
"You are NOT leaving here with just TWO outfits. Three or more, that's the rule." Polly explained. "Plus it's 3 pm. We've been here too long for you to just leave here with two outfits, Ariel.""Ugh, alright.""Great, Ernest, go find something. I'm tired." Ernest stared at Polly in disbelief. What would Ernest know about clothes? He was a boy and Polly knew so much more than he did. "I didn't stutter. Get to it."Ernest got up and started to look around the store for literally anything. While looking, he found a yellow and black shirt, and a black overall skirt to go with it."Hey, what about this?" Ernest asked. Ariel looked at the clothing, gently touching it with her hands."Well, I suppose there's no harm in trying it." A
When Ernest woke up the next morning, he felt so many emotions run through him and almost none of them had to do with Ariel.Of course it bothers him that he has a crush on Ariel, but that was the least of his worries. He knows him and his friends saw a dead body last night. She couldn't have possibly just disappeared and there's no large animals in the woods. That must mean the killer came back, but why? Why would he come back? Was there something there he didn't want found?"Ernest, breakfast is ready!" His mother yelled. Ernest sat up and walked downstairs to eat breakfast. "Good morning, sweetheart. How did you sleep?" She asked as she cooked up some bacon. Ernest's right cheek laid into the palm of his hand. His eyes were baggy and hair was ruffled. He looked like he didn't get much sleep at all."What's sleep?